Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Introduction Fall 2015: Is it Christmas yet?



Hello all!



School: So I am a senior this year and will be graduating in the spring! I am extremely excited to be graduating, but at the same time I am sad to be leaving OU. I am a Psychology major and hopefully will be attending graduate school to get my Masters in Forensic Psychology. I am very excited about this next chapter in my life and look forward to the new opportunities that a new school, a new town, new friends, and maybe even a new state will present!



Summer: I spent most of my summer working. I work here on campus at Financial Services (accounts payable, we are NOT Financial Aid. You’d be surprised how many calls I have to transfer over there). I have worked there since I was a Freshman. I have learned a lot about what different departments do on campus and have memorized most of the major departments on campus’ numbers. I did get to spend a week camping alone out on my family’s farm (my favorite place) back home in Marlow. It was so nice just to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a few days.



Pets: I have three pets and I love them all so much! I have a ten-year old black lab named Chloe. She is super sweet, but she’s up there in dog years and cannot hear very well. I have another dog named Daisy. She is a blue heeler mix and she is very hyper. She is super loving, but she has a hard time showing affection because she cannot keep still ever! My newest addition to the family is a cat. Her name is Ollie. She was given up by her family and we rescued her a few weeks ago! She is still learning how to deal with Daisy’s over enthusiastic affection. She spends a lot of time under the bed, but when the dogs go outside she’ll come out and play! 
(personal photo of my cat, Ollie; taken August 2015)

(personal photo of my dogs, Chloe and Daisy; taken December 2014)




Favorite things: My favorite movie is the Avengers. I love most of the Marvel movies, but the Avengers is my favorite. My favorite TV show is The Walking Dead, but I also really love Criminal Minds. I have re-watched the all of the seasons for both shows several times (nerdy, I know). My favorite holiday is Christmas (my birthday is December 20th so this falls in this category!). I don’t really care about all the gifts around Christmas, I am just a really big fan of the magic in the air around this time. There’s just something about Christmas that makes everyone so different (I don’t know if this is the right word…excited, childlike, joyful?). And this brings my post to an end.



Is it Christmas yet?
(personal photo of my dog, Daisy; photo taken December 2014)








----Karisa

35 comments:

  1. Oh look at your sweet dogs and that pretty cat, Karisa! She is beautiful! Girl cats can definitely be a little more nervous than the boys; we have a girl-cat and a boy-cat and the boy-cat basically drives the girl-cat crazy, but we put a big old bell on his collar, so at least she can hear him coming from a long way off and take appropriate measures. And I had to smile about your blog post title and that cute Christmas picture: it seems so far off, but Christmas will be the wonderful destination at the end of this semester. You might think about doing a Christmas project for the Storybook if you want: it will seem a little strange researching Christmas stories in September and October, but by the time we get to November, it will fit perfectly with the Fall calendar!

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    1. Update on Ollie: She has completely changed and came out of her shell! She was very new to our family when I wrote this and now she chases Miss Daisy all over the house! She constantly wants attention and terrorizes the dogs! She likes to hide in the curtains and scare people and dogs alike! She definitely has a great personality!

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  2. I totally understand what you mean about Christmas! Everyone always seems happier around that time! Also, your critters are super adorable. Dealing with a hyper dog must be a lot of work - I've got two young rabbits that I just adopted and they just go non-stop!

    I love the Avengers and Walking Dead, too, but I've never sat down and watched Criminal Minds. Don't those people on the show do what you do? Forensic Psychology?

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    1. Yes they do! A faster paced more extreme version...but it is Forensic Psychology! I definitely recommend it! And you love the Walking Dead too! Have you watched the first episode for season 6 yet? If so, what did you think about it??

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  3. I loved your puppy pictures! Especially the Christmas one! I've got two dogs as well; a yellow lab named Norman, and a black lab retriever mix named Dallas (We're really original in my family...). You've got great taste in movies and tv shows! Have you seen Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones? Those are definitely my favorites! Good luck in your last year here!!

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    1. Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones are next on my list of shows to watch! I have heard they are fantastic!

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  4. Hi Karisa! Oh my gosh, Criminal Minds is my favorite show too!! (In case you didn't know, season 10 just came onto Netflix so that is where I have been spending probably a little too much of my time!) I immediately thought of Criminal Minds when you said you wanted to get your masters in Forensic Psychology! Your puppy pictures are too cute!

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    1. I did know that season 10 was on netflix! I may or may not have spent too much time watching it! haha but hey! I consider it studying since that's what I want to do! It counts right??

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  5. Hello, Karisa!

    I am also graduating in the spring with a degree in psychology! It's sooo cool that you are pursing forensic psych! That is definitely one of the most interesting areas, and I considered it myself for a time.

    I love your critters!! I also have a cat named Ollie (Oliver, from the movie Oliver and Company--but Ollie, for short). If my Ollie didn't have long hair, she could be your Ollie's twin! I think Calico cats are so pretty. I have dogs, as well, and I understand what you mean about the hyperactivity. My beagle Tucker is a cuddler of epic proportions, but my aussie Bu is so hyper it's sometimes hard for her to be affectionate.

    I think it's really great that you love Christmas! It really does make so many people super jolly. I'm not a holiday person myself, but I find it really charming when other people are.

    It was so nice getting to know you!

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    1. Hi!

      Yay! Congratulations on graduating this spring also!! And aw! You have an Ollie too! When I wrote this post originally, I told everyone she was shy, but she turned out to be the exact opposite! She chases my dog Daisy all over the house and is constantly begging to play!

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  6. Karisa I really enjoyed your introduction. I wanted to be a counselor for marriage and family therapy when I was at OSU and think its great that you are into Forensic Psychology. Also, I want to be an actor and love the Avengers! Oh and you love dogs! I have a huge lab that's 125lbs and 6'1. It was great getting to know a little bit about you.

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  7. I really enjoyed reading your intro! It is always cool to meet other psych majors who are graduating in the spring. I imagine that you are ready to be done, as well as excited about the future. Hooray grad school. Your pets are adorable too, by the way. I love animals and love reading about people's love for their animals. Nice to meet you!

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    1. Congrats to you on graduating in the spring! I can't wait!

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  8. Hello Karisa. It was interesting to read about you!. I also have a black lab. His name is Jasper. A few years ago I also had another black lab name Chloe. I completely understand where you're coming from about going back home. I was also raised on a farm/ranch and like to go home every once in a while to get away from the city life. Good luck on your future!

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  9. Nice to meet you, Karisa! I’m excited for you to be graduating this coming spring! I hope things go well in graduate school! Where will you be going? I love studying psychology and it’s my minor. What were some of your favorite psychology courses at OU? Do you have any recommendations for me to take to fulfill my minor credit?
    I looooove the Avengers and Criminal Minds as well. I’m so glad to see a fellow fan in this class!
    I also agree about Christmas being one of the best holidays. It’s definitely about the love, happy energy, and holiday joy and not just about the presents (even though it is nice to get one :D).

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    1. Hopefully I will be going to UCO to study in their forensic psychology department! My favorite psychology courses here at OU are: Cognitive Psych-3203-this class is an overview into how the human mind thinks and brain functions pretty much..., I loved Research Methods II (you have to take Research I as well), but if you aren't interested in going into psych research then I don't recommend it because you design your own experiment, run it, analyze it, then publish a paper over it. It's a lot of fun, but very challenging., I liked Developmental as well, it is a very easy class and you get to learn about how people are shaped by their childhoods and how a specific "type" of child behaves.. I recommend you take Abnormal Psych if you can. It is an awesome class. I love it so much. You learn about the dark side of psychology which is basically all of the bad mental health problems and psychopathology. I also like Intro to Theories of Personality. This is a fun class that will have you analyzing all of your friends! :P (sorry my sentences are so disorganized. I just love psychology a lot and love helping people make decisions on which class to take so I got a little carried away! If you want more info on classes to take, email me!)

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  10. I also love The Walking Dead and Criminal Minds! Have you seen Fear of the Walking Dead? It is AMAZING, to say the least.
    Forensics sounds awesome! I have a good friend who is doing the same thing actually!
    Your cat is adorable, and I'm definitely a cat person, but your dogs are realy cute (and they're personalities are too funny.)

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    1. I haven't seen Fear the Walking Dead, but I completely have every intention to watch it!

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  11. I really like the Walking Dead too. Unfortunately due to school and work I haven't been able to catch up and keep up with it. Congratulations on almost graduating I am sure that you are very excited about it. I took psychology in High School and in college and I really enjoyed the class because I find psychology to be very interesting. I wish I could have taken more classes but I can't because of my major. Good luck to you.

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  12. Hi Karisa!
    Your animals sound so sweet! I too am looking forward to the holidays, so I can hang out with my family and read books for fun and watch television. My birthday is in January right after the holidays, but usually before school starts back. How awesome that you are planning to continue to grad school for forensic psych! That sounds super interesting. I love psychology but I only got an associates degree in it to avoid all the crazy math classes you have had to go through. I hate math. Best of luck to you in all that you do in life! May you enjoy your last few semesters immensely ! And we are getting so much closer to Christmas, it will be here before we know it ! :)

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  13. Hey Karisa!
    Your pets are so adorable! I know what you mean about your dog not being able to stay still cause at times my dog is so hyper it's hard to stay still for more than two seconds! It is so cool that you want to get your masters in forensic psychology, what exactly do you want to do with that? Whatever it is I'm sure that it will be very interesting! Good luck in your senior year and I am very excited to read your stories!

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    1. Hi Taylor!
      I would like to join something like the OSBI or the FBI or something along those lines. There I would profile criminals for them. If that doesn't work out, I would like to be an expert testifier or examiner for people who are declared criminally insane or incompetent to stand trial! I hope you have enjoyed my stories so far!

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  14. Karisa,

    Forensic psychology sounds so cool! I grew up watching Law and Order and it made it want to do something in the field of forensics. Congratulations on almost graduating I am right there with you too! I am surprised by the number of seniors that are taking this class. It seems like you have a lot going on for you. Good luck on the rest of your semester!

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  15. Hello Karisa,
    I love fall and winter and I especially can’t wait for Christmas too. It is so funny reading this post in October because time is going by so quickly, I feel like we will just blink and it will be new years! My roommate is a senior majoring in psychology as well. Good luck with grad school, forensic psychology sounds super interesting.

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  16. Hi Karisa! It is so nice to meet you! We share a lot of same interests, and feel as though we would get along quite nicely outside of class. I love the TV show Criminal Minds! One of my majors is Criminology, so no shame with watching the same episodes a couple of time. I also really like Avengers as a movie. But have you had the chance to watch the series Daredevil on Netflix? It is quite good. I look forward to getting to know you better and read more of your writing!

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  17. Hey Karisa!

    It's awesome that you're a psychology major! A few of my friends are majoring in that as well and one of them is minoring in it. I have to say, psychology was definitely one of my favorite courses in high school. Your pets are precious! I've always wanted a lab ever since I was little. Who knows, maybe I'll get one some day! I also am right there with you on the Christmas topic. I cant' explain the feeling of the atmosphere but it's the best thing. I am so so so so excited that it's around the corner!

    It was great meeting you!

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  18. Hi Karisa,

    Working for the school is so great and it looks really good on resumes, too! I’m glad you have enjoyed it so much! My birthday is December 30th, so my favorite holiday is Christmas, as well. The joy and happiness that fill that time of year is unlike any other time of year. Your dog is adorable and this made me so pumped for Christmas!!

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  19. Hi Karisa,

    I am just gonna start off with: your pets are absolutely adorable. It's pretty cool that you're looking forward to studying Forensic Psychology in the next chapter of your academics. Do you know where you are applying to? Also, what are you planning to do with that degree? Meanwhile, it is slowly getting closer and closer to Christmas time! I am so excited and I bet you are too. It was nice reading about you (even though it is so late in the semester). Hope you are doing well!

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  20. Hi Karisa,

    I'm glad I got to read some of your blog before the end of the semester. Forensic psychology sounds super interesting. I hope graduate school goes well for you!

    Your pets are adorable. Was it difficult introducing a cat to adult dogs? I've been too terrified to do that in the past with other pets but I might try it with our current dog in the future. Scared for the kitties!

    My little family dressed up as the Avengers for Halloween. People kept asking to take our picture. It was so much fun. I also love the walking dead and can't wait until Wednesday so I can watch my DVRed episode. I'm too busy at the beginning of the week.

    Christmas is my favorite holiday and I have a December birthday too. I can't wait to graduate in December so I can go on full Christmas mode. School makes it al little difficult to do all the things I love to do. I'll cram it all in to the last week if I have to. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and good luck in graduate school.

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  21. Hi Karisa!

    I’m also a senior who will be graduating in May. (It’s still difficult for me to wrap my head around that fact.) Your cats are adorable. Chloe, Daisy and Ollie seem like perfect names for cats! I see that you are a big fan of Christmas and it’s just around the corner. As soon as Thanksgiving is over that means we can start celebrating Christmas right? (:

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  22. It is almost Christmas! lol well sooner than it was at least. When I read that you wanted to get your masters in forensic psychology I wondered if you were a Criminal Minds fan. And you are! It is an amazing( and sometimes scary) show. I am a psych major as well and considered for a time about going into that field. It is really cool and can really make a difference in people's lives. I really liked that you said you weren't all about the presents when it comes to Christmas, that it was more about the other positive things that are associated with this time of year. I hope you have an amazing Christmas and enjoy your short time left at OU.

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  23. I find the best way to enjoy tv shows is to rewatch them! Already knowing what's going to happen lets you focus on other details you may have missed the first time around!

    Congrats on graduating soon! Your chosen field for grad school sounds incredibly interesting (Did Criminal Minds sway you at all :D??)!

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  24. Hey Karisa! I don't think the title of your Introduction could be any more relevant than right now! I want it to be Christmas so bad. I'm also graduating in May! I have the exact same feelings about that as you do. It was great to get to know a little about you. I hope that these last couple of weeks in the semester go well for you!

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  25. Hello, Karisa! Congrats on being able to graduate in the spring. Financial Services and Financial Aid are very different indeed but I feel like most people can hardly tell the difference. It must be nice to get away from the city every now and then. My family used to live out in the country and I enjoyed the different view since we just moved from the city of Fresno, California in 2007. Your pets are lovely. I don’t have a cat because half of my family is allergic as well as me.

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  26. Hi Karisa, nice to meet you! I really enjoy the title of your blog. I also love Christmas and now it is so close! I love the picture of your dog in front of your Christmas tree. I also love my dog and I think I have a very similar picture of my dog like that. I hope you had a great semester.

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